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You’ll never guess what the new Pokemon Trading Card Game expansion, Mega Evolution, adds to the game!
Okay, yes, you will.
But nevertheless, Mega Evolutions haven’t been in the TCG since the Sun & Moon days, so what’s changed and how do they fit into today’s game? (Also, do any of them have really cool art?) We’ll answer these tough questions.
The coolest Pokemon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution cards
Perhaps most notable are the Mega Evolutions themselves, since in addition to being the marketing focus, they also work differently from before in Pokemon Trading Card Game. In their last iteration, they were extra evolutions, placed atop existing EX creatures and requiring you to end your turn unless you had a workaround. Now, they’re just a version of that creature. Kangaskhan is a Basic? Mega Kangaskhan ex is also a basic. Lucario’s a Stage 1 that evolves from Riolu? Then so’s Mega Lucario ex. Along with this, they’re now three-prize creatures, retaining a bit of risk in exchange for the easier play.
There are ten Mega cards in this set, one for each energy type, and most of them do something interesting. For example, the new Venusaur brings back its ability from the Base Set, allowing you to move grass energy around at will. Mega Gardevoir can both load up other creatures with energy and attack using them, making it a powerful force once again for another generation of TCG players.
The most interesting Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution cards
There’s a suite of ability creatures that might be situationally useful. Shuckle needs one energy attached to work, but it can heal for 30 every turn. Ninjask’s Cast-Off Shell gets you a Shedinja directly into play, which has its own use as a zero-prize blocker. Cinderace is probably too much of a risk for high-level play, but if it’s in your opening hand, it can be played directly and has a tempting one-energy attack. Garganacl powers up Fighting types, but it’s a lot to play to do it.
As the start of a new “series” for the TCG, Mega Evolution brings with it a refresh of some elements and accessories. For example, the Elite Trainer Box now has a recycled plastic insert to hold things more securely, a larger coin, and even new damage dice that help usability a bit by making the “100” side stand out. The new energy designs are fairly tame and inoffensive, and it looks like a standard alternate treatment for all the Megas will be a silhouette of their normal form in the background.
The most meta-relevant Mega Evolution cards
Meganium is a project to get into play as a Stage 2, but its Wild Growth ability doubles all grass energy and could be a big part of any decks featuring that type. There are probably also some Megas that will break through. Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex seem like strong candidates, with both setup and sweeper moves. Mega Kangaskhan ex might also, with its card draw and no need for colored energy, but you better have some trainers ready to switch it out.
We’re talking a lot about evolutions, so it’s a given that the reprint of Rare Candy will remain a factor in high-speed pro play. In fact, given that it’s a new series, a lot of the Trainer selection is staple reprints, leaving little room for new stuff. Still, there seems to be a focus on single-type-boosting Stadium cards, like the quick-evolve Forest of Vitality for grass or the card draw of Mystery Garden for psychic. There’s a chance one of these breaks through alongside a meta-defining sweeper.
The cutest Mega Evolution cards
The pickings are maybe a bit slimmer than we’d like in this expansion, but we still have some selections! Vulpix, Stufful and Pachirisu frolicking about are no-brainers, for sure, but they work better than usual with a softer aesthetic. Buneary is probably the most obvious, as its design looks like something the company would print on flowery accessories.
There are also a few nice illustration rares. Vulpix again? Yeah, Vulpix again. Also a Stufful that has absolutely wrecked someone’s bedroom. And we’re not sure what’s going on with the full art Lt. Surge’s Bargain, but we like it!
The latest Pokemon Trading Card Game expansion, Mega Evolution, launched on September 26, 2025 and is out now. For more coverage of the Pokemon TCG, check out our archive.
